Sophia Michaels
The show “My Lottery Dream Home,” despite its engaging premise, has faced challenges from the start. Reports suggest that its producer, 7Beyond Productions, sometimes uses tricks to ensure episodes fit the HGTV brand’s captivating narrative. David Bromstad, the charismatic host and former Disney visual merchandiser, is then tasked with persuading viewers that the show is spontaneous and genuine.
Each episode features Bromstad guiding lottery winners through three properties while providing experienced insights to aid their decision-making process. However, early in the series, many jackpot winners were hesitant to showcase their fortunes on TV. According to Mike Krupat from 7Beyond, “We reached out to close to 1,000 lottery winners and we got 10 to appear on our first season.” Often, these winners don’t possess the extravagant budgets to buy lavish homes, resulting in disappointment from fans expecting opulence. As one viewer noted on Reddit, “The commercials imply luxurious homes, but the reality is just average houses.”
Additionally, some fans have pointed out similarities with “House Hunters,” noting apparent scripted elements. One viewer remarked on Reddit that the house chosen by the participants often features items that don’t change for the follow-up segment, raising suspicions about the authenticity of the show.
Some of the show’s lottery winners face limited choices
Viewers who reside near filming locations of “My Lottery Dream Home” often unearth secrets about the participants. For instance, a Redditor disclosed that Kathy, featured in Season 16’s “Gold Lady of Lake Mendota,” already owned the property before being showcased. They noted, “She bought this lake property years ago, demolished the previous house, and built her new ‘dream house,’ complete with a pickleball court,” emphasizing the show’s inauthenticity.
Another Reddit user shared that their neighbors had also been living in a home prior to the episode’s filming. They mentioned that the house they explored wasn’t even available for sale and that one of the properties was the realtor’s personal home.
A 2015 piece from The Lowdown featured a couple who, despite having already acquired a new house, agreed to participate. Rhonda Meath from Minnesota revealed that the production team staged her home’s exterior, simulating the passing of time by applying fake snow. She even admitted to using bungee cords to create the illusion of a fancy automatic gate. Nevertheless, David Bromstad’s enthusiastic demeanor continues to keep audiences engaged amidst these revelations.
